#27
The Chicago White Sox entered 2023 with one of the most talented rosters in baseball, then they lost 100 games. Could they have a better record in 2024 after trading away much of their roster?
#8 - 1st in AL Central, lose in ALDS
MIH - Luis Robert Jr.
MIP - Lucas Giolito
PTW - Oscar Colas
FP - Andrew Vaughn has a better season in 2023 than Jose Abreu.
2023 Results
#27 - 61-101, 4th in AL Central
Highest WAR (Position) - Luis Robert Jr.
Highest WAR (Pitcher) - Mike Clevinger
There was a version of the 2023 season where the Chicago White Sox won the division. It honestly seemed more likely that happened than they lose 100 games. Yet here we are. Direct quote from last year's article, "I have been really high on this team for three years in a row now... If the White Sox fail me again, I'm out." Well, it looks like the White Sox gave up too, starting to unload talent mid-season. I will say, one of my favorite fearless predictions last year did pay off. Neither had great seasons, but Andrew Vaughn finished with a 101 OPS+, .743 OPS, 21 homers, 80 RBI's, and a 0.9 WAR. Former White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu had an 87 OPS+, .680 OPS, 18 homers, 90 RBI's, and a 0.0 WAR. Advantage (barely) goes to Vaughn. I guess the White Sox made one right decision entering 2023.
Additions / Subtractions
The White Sox were quite active this off-season. Gone are Yasmani Grandal, Elvis Andrus, Tim Anderson, Seby Zavala, Mike Clevinger, Kendall Graveman, Gregory Santos, Aaron Bummer ... and that's not even including the mid-season trades last year of Jake Burger, Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, and Reynaldo Lopez. The addition list is nowhere near as impressive. Entering the fold for 2024 are starters Michael Soroka, Erick Fedde, Chris Flexen, catcher Martin Maldonado, and infielders Nicky Lopez and Paul DeJong.
Most Important Hitter
Eloy Jimenez
No one on the White Sox roster better encapsulates this latest White Sox run than Eloy Jimenez. Ever since he was acquired from the cross-town rival Cubs in 2017 in the Jose Quintana trade, Jimenez has been one of the most talented players on the White Sox roster. However, injuries have kept Eloy from reaching his full potential, topping out at 122 games over the last 5 seasons, and that was his rookie year when he hit 31 homers. Since then, his only other season over 100 games had him reaching 120 games and 18 homers. The good news is that was last season. This is the last year before Eloy hits free agency, and the hope of a healthy Jimenez leaves him as one of the most intriguing trade chips at the Trade Deadline. As the White Sox are resetting the whole roster, a strong start from the slugger would bring back a maximum return in a trade.
Most Important Pitcher
Dylan Cease
Through all the turnover on the White Sox roster this off-season, possibly the biggest story was the move they didn't make. Dylan Cease is still on the White Sox roster. The Cy Young runner up in 2022 was nowhere near as effective in 2023, but with two years left before free agency, Cease remains a very hot commodity on the trade market. Probably the only reason he wasn't traded was the very high asking price. Now, just like Eloy Jimenez, the best thing Cease can do for the White Sox is start the year off as his 2022 self to bring back the king's ransom the White Sox want for their ace at the Trade Deadline or even next off-season.
Prospect to Watch
Colson Montgomery
The White Sox farm system is starting this rebuild in a not great spot, ranking 20th overall by MLB Pipeline with only 2 players in the Top 100 prospects. However, one of those prospects is the 9th best prospect in baseball. Colson Montgomery is a 22 year old shortstop that the White Sox took in the 1st round in 2021. Drawing comparisons to Corey Seager as a tall, athletic, lefty hitting shortstop, his development and eventual debut in 2024 might be why face of the franchise Tim Anderson is no longer on the roster. After the All Star Break, look for Montgomery to be called up simply so that the White Sox have something to cheer for. They really need a win after last year's prospect to watch, Oscar Colas, flamed out spectacularly in 2023 and is barely considered a part of their long term plans anymore.
2024 Prediction
5th in AL Central
The White Sox might be the only team right now entering full rebuild mode. With that said, thanks to their division, they are not guaranteed the cellar this season. They also aren't done with their roster reset either. It was bad last year when they were trying to be good. It might be better this year as they start to try and be bad. They do have further to go before they fully bottom out and build back up though.
Fearless Predictions
Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease will not be traded due to injuries.
Knowing the luck of the White Sox over the last handful of seasons, it would only make sense if their two best trade chips during a rebuild have injury-riddled seasons making them near untradable. So of course that's what is going to happen. It would be the perfect ending to one of the worst potential championship runs in recent memory.
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